Armed Robbery with a ‘Hand’ Gun on Sunday Night

Police arrested a 19-year-old man Sunday night after he was allegedly involved in an armed robbery case at the Mobil station in the 400 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, where a cellphone was forcibly taken.

Pasadena Police Lt. Mark Goodman said the suspect, identified later as Lamar Smith, a 19-year-old Pasadena resident, used his hand as the weapon in this case, and made his victims believe he had a gun.

“Smith walked into the Mobil station and simulated a handgun underneath his shirt, and demanded that the employees open the register,” Goodman said. “They were unable to do so, so the suspect took a cellphone that was sitting on the counter.”

The cellphone belonged to a 64-year-old female employee who was manning the gas station with another woman, age 59.

“After stealing the cellphone, he fled the location on foot,” Goodman continued. “Officers responded and the suspect was located in the 600 block of N. Marengo Avenue. He was detained without incident.”

Goodman said the incident occurred at about 10:29 p.m.  He said when officers detained the suspect a short time later, they found the stolen cellphone in his possession, and the suspect was positively identified by both victims.

Smith was arrested for armed robbery and booked in the city jail, Goodman said.